Products at a Glance
How we choose the best wireless printer
We’ve carefully picked the wireless printers in this round-up based on these criteria: functionality, speed, and costs. All printers on this list support Wi-Fi, but some models even have more advanced wireless printing capabilities, like cloud printing and Wi-Fi Direct.
Depending on how you’ll be using the printer, you may favor a particular model over the other. For example, if you value a printer that can also scan and copy documents, you might consider getting an all-in-one unit. Another person may prefer a laser over an inkjet printer to save on ink costs.
Product Reviews
- Fast print speeds
- Low cost per page
- Doubles as a copier/scanner
- Supports auto duplexing
- Has an auto document feeder
- Hefty price tag
- Bulky form factor
The Brother MFC-L8905CDW is one of the best wireless laser printers we’ve encountered.
Since this is a laser printer, it can print at much faster speeds than inkjet printers, with speeds that reach 33 pages per minute. It’s also quite economical as the toner is an 8000-page high-yielding unit, resulting in a relatively low cost per page.
The main paper tray can take up to 250 sheets. If you need to print on special types of paper like envelopes and card stock, you can use the secondary 50-sheet rear tray. There’s also a 50-sheet auto document feeder, so you can quickly scan or copy larger documents.
At the top of the printer, you’ll find a huge 7” touchscreen panel that lets you set up workflows to save time and effort. Additionally, it integrates a flatbed scanner so you can scan and copy documents on-demand. It also supports auto-duplexing for easy double-sided printing.
The Brother MFC-L8905CDW supports cloud printing, along with the conventional USB, Ethernet, and wireless Wi-Fi setup.
The only noticeable problem with this model is its form factor. It’s quite large and may not fit in a small office. The price tag might also be a bit high, but at least you won’t spend a fortune to keep it running.
- Fast print speed
- Can scan, copy, and fax documents
- Prints double-sided documents quickly
- Supports cloud printing
- Useful smartphone app with custom workflows
- No rear paper tray
- The LCD panel is too small and lacks advanced functionality
If you’re looking for a wireless printer for light home use, the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e is a worthy choice. This is arguably one of the best HP printers and here’s why:
At 22 pages per minute, the 9015e is among the fastest inkjet printers in this price range. It also features a relatively moderate cost per page. A single black-and-white document won’t cost you more than 3 cents.
You can also opt into HP’s instant ink program to make automated ink cartridge orders whenever you’re about to run out of ink. At the same time, you’ll be saving 10% on each order. Not to mention, it already comes with up to 6 months worth of ink out of the box.
What’s more, the HP 9015e supports auto-duplexing for easy double-sided document printing. And since this is an all-in-one model, it can scan, copy, and fax your documents. It even has an auto sheet feeder so you don’t have to manually put every single paper on the flatbed scanner to scan or copy it.
In the connectivity compartment, the HP 9015e lets you print via USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. You can also use the HP Smart app to remotely print or scan your documents with cloud printing. Additionally, you can set up custom workflows in the app to automate repetitive jobs.
Despite its perks, the HP 9015e has some downsides. It doesn’t have a dedicated rear tray for specialty paper, meaning that you need to remove your paper pile every time you want to print on envelopes or other media.
The display is also very small and only helps with very basic functions, but hey, at least they added one considering the affordable price tag.
- Affordable
- Supports NFC printing
- Can scan and copy documents
- Supports automatic double-sided printing
- Low-capacity paper tray
- High running costs
- No auto document featuring
- No LCD screen
The Canon Pixma MG3620 is among the cheapest wireless printers on the market. At under $100, it covers the basics without breaking the bank and is considered one of the best Canon printers for its value.
It boasts a flatbed scanner that lets you scan and copy your documents. The printer’s compact form factor makes it easy to fit even in the tightest spaces.
On top of that, it can print double-sided documents automatically thanks to the auto-duplexing functionality. It doesn’t have an auto document feeder, though, but we can’t really complain at this price point.
As for connectivity, Canon surprised us by including NFC functionality in this low-cost printer. Even premium models rarely have this feature. It’s just nice to be able to make quick prints by simply tapping your smartphone on the designated NFC area. Of course, you also get Wi-Fi, an Ethernet port, and a USB port.
At such a generous price tag, you’d expect the MG3620 ink costs to be high, which is unfortunately true to some extent. It’s not the least economical printer model out there, but you should definitely expect to spend a lot of money on ink if you frequently print color photos.
Also, keep in mind that the paper tray is very small. It can take 100 sheets only, so you’ll probably find yourself having to feed the tray with paper quite frequently.
- Fast print speed
- Supports cloud printing and Wi-Fi Direct
- Prints A3 paper
- Can scan, copy, and fax documents
- Supports auto duplexing and document feeding
- Single feed rear tray
- High running costs
If you’re looking for a wireless printer that can scan, copy, and fax your documents, the Brother MFC-J5330DW is a worthy contender.
This printer is so small and will barely take up any space on your desk, but to our surprise, it can print on A3 paper. That’s definitely a nice addition if you often need to print larger-format docs or photos.
In terms of paper handling, this unit has a 250-sheet main paper tray, in addition to a rear 50-sheet tray for envelopes, card stock, and other special types of paper.
Print quality is pretty decent, both when it comes to color photos and black-and-white documents. What’s more, the MFC-J5330DW supports auto-duplexing for easy double-sided printing. Plus, it’s pretty fast, with a nominal print speed of 22 pages per minute. There’s also a 50-sheet auto document feeder, so you can automate scanning and copying jobs.
As for connectivity, this multi-functional Brother printer can print via USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. It even has Wi-Fi Direct, which lets you print directly from your devices with a P2P Wi-Fi connection, even if you’re in a place with no internet connection. Cloud printing via Apple AirPrint and Mopria works flawlessly, too.
Despite all these great features, the MFC-J5330DW does have some disadvantages. It’s pretty costly to run and the specialty paper tray is single-feed. Nevertheless, these aren’t deal breakers in our book.
- Great color reproduction with a wide color gamut
- Low running costs
- Has a dedicated smartphone app
- Produces high-quality grayscale photo prints
- Takes up to two sheet rolls
- Slow printing speed
The Epson SureColor P700 produces some of the best photo printers we’ve seen from a non-commercial printer. It features Epson’s proprietary Ultrachrome Pro10 ink that produces a wide color gamut, ensuring vivid and accurate color photo prints.
What’s more, it has a dedicated rendering mode for grayscale prints; something that artistic and portrait photographers and designers will definitely love.
We were also surprised that its running cost is quite competitive, with a low cost per page that rarely exceeds $0.4.
The P700 can print on paper up to 13 x 19” with a maximum thickness of 1.5mm. You can also hook up 2 paper rolls for large printing jobs like ads and posters.
On top of that, if you’re a fan of grayscale photo prints, the P700 won’t disappoint with its advanced black-and-white rendering mode. There’s also an app that enables you to retouch photos and print them directly from your iOS device.
The touchscreen control panel lets you adjust the printer’s settings and monitor ink and printing status. Additionally, the Epson P700 supports multiple printing options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB printing.
Our only concern with the Epson P700 is that it’s pretty slow. A single 4 x 6” photo print will take more than 90 seconds to come out to the output tray, so we have our fingers crossed that you’re the patient type of person.
Wireless printer features and considerations
Before deciding on a wireless printer, consider the following factors:
Inkjet vs. Laser Wireless Printers
Generally speaking, there are two different technologies used in wireless printers: inkjet and laser.
Inkjet printers utilize ink cartridges to print your documents and photos, while laser printers use powdered toner that’s rolled on your paper with a drum to print your documents.
The best color laser printers are faster and cheaper to run, making them great for office environments. Most laser printers are monochrome. The best Inkjet printers, on the flip side, cost more to run because ink is expensive.
However, they do have some advantages. Inkjet printers are cheaper to buy. They also produce photos with deeper and more vibrant colors.
Ink Economy
Home and small office printers have a reputation for being super expensive to run due to ink costs. However, not all wireless printers are that bad when it comes to ink economy. Some models feature refillable ink tanks and high-yield cartridges to save on running costs in the long term.
You might also consider getting a wireless laser printer if you’ll be printing lots of documents each month. They’re faster and cheaper to run than inkjet printers. However, they’re often more expensive than their inkjet counterparts, and you still need to replace the toner every once in a while anyway.
Connectivity
Sometimes, Wi-Fi may not be the most reliable way for you to print your documents. If there are lots of devices in your home or office, they may interfere with your printer’s Wi-Fi, causing delays in your print commands.
You should also consider the possibility of your internet going down for any reason; you need a backup plan like USB or Ethernet to print your documents and photos.
Some printers also have Bluetooth, which works great if you’re in the same room as the printer and need to print a few quick documents.
Certain models also have Wi-Fi Direct, which establishes a direct connection between your device and printer without requiring a Wi-Fi router. Cloud printing is also a great option to have if most of your documents or photos are stored in the cloud.
Ease of Use and Functionality
Printers that have built-in LCD control panels are usually easier to use than models that don’t have them. With an LCD display, you can make quick commands and monitor ink and print status without having to turn on your computer.
Some models also have advanced software integrated into the control panel that provides additional functionality like customizable workflows and even photo editing.
You should also consider if having the ability to scan and copy documents is important to you. All-in-one printers come with a built-in flatbed scanner that you can use to scan and copy documents and photos.
Which is better: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth printing?
This really depends on how far your devices are from the printer. In a single-room office environment, Bluetooth should be fine.
However, if you work in a larger office or need to be able to send print commands from anywhere in your home, Wi-Fi printing would be more appropriate since it covers a longer range.
Do wireless printers need special software?
Most modern wireless printers don’t require you to set up any specific software or drivers. You just need to connect your printer’s Wi-Fi to the computer and you’re good to go.
Do keep in mind that for mobile printing, you might need to install the manufacturer’s app.
Can I print from my smartphone or tablet to a wireless printer?
Yes, most wireless printers let you print documents and photos from your phone using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Some printers also support cloud printing, so if your files are stored in the cloud, you can print them directly from the cloud, even if your phone isn’t physically in the same place as the printer.
Can I connect multiple devices to a wireless printer?
Yes, you can connect many devices to your wireless printer simultaneously. These include computers, smartphones, tablets, and cameras.
Our Verdict
Picking the best wireless printer was a hard choice, but we definitely believe that the Brother MFC-L8905CDW is the best wireless printer out there. It’s fast, has a large paper tray, and won’t cost you a fortune to keep running. If you don’t mind the bulky form factor, we highly recommend this model for you.
Alternatively, you can opt for the Canon Pixma MG3620. It doesn’t have anything fancy, except maybe for the cool NFC printing thing. But it gets the job done. However, its ink is expensive, so keep that in mind before the low price tag tricks you.
Finally, if quality photo printing is what you seek, the Epson SureColor P700 is worth taking a look at. Its state-of-the-art ink system will give you some interesting results.